Determination of phenolic profile by HPLC–ESI-MS/MS, antioxidant activity, in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-herpetic activity of propolis from the Brazilian native bee Melipona quadrifasciata

ABSTRACT Propolis is a rich source of bioactive molecules made by bees by collecting an infinite variety of secondary metabolites from plants. This study determined the chromatographic and mass spectrometry profile along with the biological activity of propolis produced by the native Brazilian bee Melipona quadrifasciata. A hydroalcoholic crude extract was prepared and partitioned in solvents of different polarities, generating aqueous, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and insoluble fractions. The phenolic and flavonoid content was also determined in crude aqueous and methanolic extract...